1. Hard to argue with Mo's logic.

By why does Mo stop with justifying Columbia's decision to host Ahmadinejad?

Why doesn't Mo criticize Columbia for allowing students to violently storm the stage and shut down a speech by a speaker from the Minutemen. Doesn't an American have as much a right to free speech as a "petty and cruel dictator" from another country?

ray at 12:37PM on Sep 25th 2007

2. Aw Mo,
I agree with letting the gentleman have his say. He was his own worse enemy.
What really scared me were the opposition arguments that somehow these students were going to come away "brainwashed."
Think I'd give Columbia students the benefit of the doubt.
I further agree that Bollinger's grandstanding played right into Ahmadinejad's hands. But I'm not saying anything new here.
One thing: Ahadinejad must have complimented himself six or seven times as an "academic" who teaches University Graduates. Then, he was capable of speaking only two phrases in English. "One Minute" is one I recall.
Last time I checked, our PH.D.'s are required to possess competence in at least two other languages, one ancient.
Do you think we could teach him "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"
Kimball '08

John Giza at 1:22PM on Sep 25th 2007

3. Yes, we as AMERICANS have the right to speak our mind, assemble in rally's for whatever the reason but, as for that Rag Head from IRAN, I would not trust him any further than I could throw him. He does not respect America nor does he have any respect for the lives that were destroyed on 911. I personnally have a problem with him being here at all. You are welcome in America as long as you behave like a law bidding citizen which, I as well as yourself should know that he is not. I can tell evil when I see it and that is one evil man. If you think for one minute that we could ever be safe dealing with a natural disaster such as that man (an I use that term loosely) then you are a very naive person regardless of your education as a columnist. Your generation seems to forget about the lives that have been given in distant countries so that you have the right to comment on that demon having the right to show up our doorstep, less loan speak at one of our colleges. Do you not remember when they had our people as hostages over there? Are you aware of that time in history? I am sick of people not standing up for the American beliefs and letting animals like that come into our country. I'd sanction him, he would not get one thing from this country until he gets out of the nuclear business and sending weapons to Iraq. Which, you and I know is not going to happen and besides the fact that as long as we back the Jewish nation which we must do, they will continue to do as they please. I'm sorry my friend but, mark my words this was a scouting expedition, one in which we down the road will know why. rw3407

Rita at 1:42PM on Sep 25th 2007

4. Mo, you hit it on the nose! With all of our freedoms that have disappeared over the last few years, I was glad to hear freedom of speech was still on the books. I hope that still means everyone, All Americans and Foriegn dignitaries. We may not think to highly of Mr. Ahmadinejad but he does have the right to speak if invited to do so. However Mr. Bollinger's introduction was extremely rude and not how an American Academic should present themselves. Of that I can say I'm very dissapointed with one of this countries most prestigous institutes of higher learning.

Beth at 1:46PM on Sep 25th 2007

5. Mr. Rocca, I couldn't agree with you more. I sadly have to take back the applauding I gave to Bollinger. His comment on Ahmadinejad being "petty", was petty in itself. I think it's called hypocritical. Bollinger's a hypocrite. I thought it was civil to invite him. But to read in the paper the comments he said, I felt ashamed in even giving the guy kudos. Now, I can't imagine anyone who would ever want to be invited to Columbia by Bollinger...if this is the stunt he pulls.

Now, I am sad. I hate misjudging people.

Game Theory for Applied Economics Nerd at 2:21PM on Sep 25th 2007

6. I missed it, I thought Ahmadinejad was getting roasted at the Fryer's Club on Comedy Central.

Just kidding.

being prejudgemental is very natural of us. I am glad that we are able to hear directly from him. I am not sure about the media who seems to twist logic and facts to make their points. To let him try to explain himself is something that every American cherishes as citizens. I am not sure what he is all about. The poor relations between Iran and U.S. since the late 70's makes it difficult to even try to listen. But if we really want to live in a peaceful world I don't see a problem with hearing the man out.

David McCool at 2:36PM on Sep 25th 2007

7.
MO. I agree with you 100%. The Iraq study group is looking forward to a time of political stability in the mideast. Iran is crucial to the peace in Iraq and the other mideast countries.

Since we provided Ahmadinejad a forum for free speech . It must mean that there is such a thing. Bollinger shot us in the foot. We must use the visit as a offer of peaceful intentions, no matter what he said.

Like MO said , If you crush some one else's freedoms you crush your own. We must reclaim our civil rights before we get blindly led to war again.

marsha beckerman at 2:51PM on Sep 25th 2007

8. Mo, I agree with you 50%. LOL I don't think that a place of higher learning should have extended a invitation to someone with no intellectual honesty. What's to be gained from someone using the podium solely for false propoganda? However, since they did, they should have treated him better and Bollinger should not have grand-standed in such a selfabsorbed way.

Mel at 3:02PM on Sep 25th 2007

9.
This thought just occurred to me - Would President Bush accept an invitation to speak at an Iranian University?

vegastracon at 3:23PM on Sep 25th 2007

10. As President Ronald Reagan once said, "here we go again". The liberals stumble all over themselves to give this fool a pretigious forum and at the same time want to take away the conservative talk radio forum. Go figure. Of course few things liberals do make much sense.

Don at 3:31PM on Sep 25th 2007

11. #9 - the question SHOULD be...would an Iranian university extend such an invitation to an American president?

I'm going to go read the Amendments to the Constitution to see exactly who gets free speech rights.

Angie at 4:10PM on Sep 25th 2007

12. Congratulations to both Columbia (my old school) and to Mo for the Ahmadinejad debate. Free discussion has always been the foundation of our society and there has been far too little of it lately. Jefferson would have been proud. Certainly Bollinger's scripted intro wasn't a promising one but both were playing to constituencies-- as pointed out. It is only by listening to what anyone actually, really says, that we can judge them. And with the politically slanted translations of both Arabic and Farsi available in the US today, never confuse what is really being said, with what someone wants you to believe. Ahmadinejad revealed himself to anyone with the sense to listen. As did Bollinger.

James Sibal at 4:22PM on Sep 25th 2007

13. Interesting that no one wants to hear from the other side. It appears that most citizens have a very limited and selective historical perspective re Iran. The history of US involvement there isn't too pure or pretty...

Dan at 5:29PM on Sep 25th 2007

14. Mo, I couldn't agree with you more.
I'm sick and tired of hearing people praise Bollinger's "courage".
Not only that, but I feel like insulting your guest (regardless of how much of a nutcase he may be) is tactless and completely unneccesary. Furthermore, it cheapened the whole idea of letting Ahmadenijad speak!

T at 5:59PM on Sep 25th 2007

15. Answering a question in your column, I'd say A-jad's "Dr. Evil" - he's definitely a joke.

puck at 10:37PM on Sep 25th 2007